Target-throwing device.



J. W. & C. H. NAPIER.

TARGET THROWING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.9. 1916.

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Patented Apr. 10, 1917.

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TARGET THROWING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 9 Isle.

Patented Apf 10, 1917.

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JAMES W. NAPIER AND CHARLES H. NAPIER, 01 DUQUESNE, PENNSYLVANIA.

TARGET-THROWING DEVICE.

Application filed November 9, 1916.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that we, JAMES W. NAPIER and CHARLES H. NAPIER, citizens of the,

United States, residing at Duquesne, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Target-Throwing Devices; and we do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in target throwing devices, particularly those which throw saucer-shaped targets known as clay pigeons.

The principal object of the invention is to produce a very simple and inexpensive target throwing device which will eflectively project clay pigeons of ordinary construction.

An additional object is to provide a device having a feeding means whereby the targets will automatically move in a position to be projected.

Still another object is to provide a target throwing device having novel means for releasing the projecting mechanism.

With these and other objects in view, the invention resides in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter more particularly described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of our improved target throwing device, the parts being in position to project a target;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing slightly difi'erent positions of the parts;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the invention with the target projecting member in retracted position;

Fig. 4 is a similar view with said member in extended position;

Fig. 5 is a detail transverse section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 6 is a similar view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1. It will be seen from the accompanying drawings that the invention comprises broadly a target holding member and a target projecting device, both being mounted upon a suitable bracket which can be readily moved so that the targets may be thrown in various directions. Specifically the invention comprises an elongated flat Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 11?.

Serial No. 130,401.

plate 1 which is formed integrally with a depending rib 2, said rib having a socket 3 formed at one end, the latter providing a bearing for a shaft or the like on which the device is mounted, and an additional plate 4 formed integrally with the forward end of the plate 1 and the rib 2, and is preferably in the same plane as the former. This last mentioned plate 4 is substantially triangular in plan view and has upwardly extending rails 5 and 6 formed on two of its edges, said rails intersecting to form an acute angle. The plate 4 is cut away or recessed as shown at 7 and 8 in order that the device may be very light in weight, the rib 2 being also recessed as at 9. From Fig. 3

it will be noted that the axis of the socket 3 is disposed at an obtuse angle to the plane occupied by the plates 1 and 4 in order that when said socket is placed vertically on a supporting shaft, the plates will be inclined slightly in order that the targets may be thrown upwardly.

The target projecting device consists of a longitudinally movable bar 10 which is disposed longitudinally of the plate 1, said bar having the forward end bent in the form of a V as at 11, the apex of said V extending forwardly away from the plate 1. The free end of the portion 11 is bent laterally and flattened to form a finger 12 by which one of the targets T is thrown.

In order that the bar 10 may be guided during its movement, a pair of ears 13 are formed 011 the plate 1 adjacent its connection with the plate 4, this arrangement supporting the forward end of said bar. The rear end is guided and supported by a depending ear 1% which extends into a longitudinal slot 15 in the plate 1, said ear having a pair of spaced pins 16 projecting therethrough, one of which is disposed on each side and in engagement with said plate 1. hen the bar 10 is now moved across the plates 1 and 1, it will be maintained parallel thereto. A spring 17 is used for projecting the bar forwardly to throw the targets from the device, this spring preferably being helical and attached by one end to the ear let and at the other end to an additional ear 18, the latter depending from the plate 4:. This arrangement disposes the spring beneath the plates 1 and 4:, said rib 2 being recessed longitudinally as at 19 to receive these parts.

Since the spring 17 has a tendency to contract, the bar 10 will be moved forwardly into the position shown in Fig. 4. To hold the bar retracted so that a target may be projected, a dog 20 is pivoted between the ears'13, this dog coacting with a shoulder 21 formed at the end of a longitudinal groove 22 in the top of the bar 10. At the forward end of the groove, an additional shoulder 23 is formed, which is inclined upwardly and outwardly from the bottom of said groove. This inclined outer end of the groove 22 forces the dog 20 into the active position shown in Fig. 1, should it become caught and retained as in Fig. 2.

The trigger actuating device consists of a channeled member 24: which is s'lidable on the bar 10, the movement of said device be ing limited by the ears 13 and 1 1-. A finger 26 extends from the top of the channelshaped member 2%, whose bottom is slotted so that it may. readily move past the car 14:, this finger carrying a stud or projection 27 which engages a projection 28 on the trigger 20 when the device is slid forward. A handle 29 is swiveled to the member 2%, this connection being formed by the eyes 30 and 31, one of which is formedon the handle of the other carried by the member 2%.

The device is set up at any desired place, the plates 1 and i being inclined, the front ends of the plate abeing higher than the rear end of the plate 1; targets of the clay pigeon variety are then placed on the plate 4 for engagement with the rail 6. The inclination of the plate a and this rail causes the targets T to move downwardly until the innermost one engages the bar 10, it being assumed that this bar is in its extended position. The handle 29 is now pulled rearwardly until the member 24. engages the stop 25 on the end of the bar 10, whereupon continued rearward movement of the handle will retract said bar, until the innermost target T has its upwardly extending annular rib engaged by one side of the V-shaped portion 11. When this portion 11 of the bar 10 has been moved into the full line position shown in Fig. 2, the innermost target will have dropped to the end of the rail 6 and into engagement with the other rail 5, this rail being parallel to the bar 10.

After this has taken place, the handle may be released to allow the bar i0 to move forwardly again until the trigger engages the shoulder 21, this position being shown in Fig. 1, from which figure it will also be noted that this slight movement of the bar will cause the finger 12 to engage the annular rib on the target T and carry the same forward slightly.

When the operator of the device is signaled to release the target, he moves the trigger releasing device forwardly on the bar 10 until the projections 27 and 28 engage to raise the trigger from the groove 22. The tension of the spring now causes the bar 10 to be projected forwardly at a high rate of speed, carrying with it the target T which is in engagement with the rail 5, the other targets being retained on the plate adjacent the rail 6 by said bar. A retating motion is imparted to the projected clay pigeon as well as velocity, since in being forced outwardly its edge must frictionally engage the rail 5 throughout its length, the latter being lined with rubber or the like if necessary.

After this pigeon has been projected, the bar 10 is again pulled rearwardly as in the first instance, whereupon the innermost target on the rail 6 will drop into position to be acted upon by the finger 12. Thus it will be seen that as'fast as the projector consisting of the bar 10 is operated, a target will drop into position against the rail 5, thereby providing in efiect a self-feeding attachment.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that a very simply constructed target throwing device has been produced, and that the operation is much simpler than that found in similar devices already in use. The device may be slightly modified without departing from the principles of the invention as set forth in the appended claims to produce a machine which may be held in the hand.

We claim as our invention 1. A target throwing device comprising a slightly inclined flat plate, a pair of substantially straight rails on said plate, said rails being disposed at an acute angle to each other, the intersection of said rails being at the lower side of said plate, and a target projecting member, one of said rails coacting with said member to guide the target while being projected, the other rail and the plate forming an automatic target feeding member.

2. A target throwing device comprising a slightly inclined fiat plate, a pair of substantially straight rails on said plate, said rails being disposed at an acute angle to each other, the intersection of said rails being at the lower side of said plate, a longitudinally movable target projecting bar disposed parallel to'one of said rails and coacting therewith, said rail guiding a target while being projected, the other rail and the plate forming an automatic target feeding member, and means for moving said bar.

3. A target throwing device comprising a slightly inclined fiat plate, a pair of substantially straight rails on'said plate, said rails being disposed at an acute angle to each other, the intersection of said rails being at the lower side of said plate, a longitudinally movable target projecting bar disposed parallel to one of said rails and coacting therewith, the outer end of said bar being bent into V-shape, the apex thereof extending outwardly, a laterally bent ringer on the free end of said V-shaped portion to engage a target, and means for projecting said bar.

4-. In a device of the class described, a target holder, a support therefor, a pair f spaced ears on the support, a longitudinal movable target projecting bar slidable between said ears, said bar having a stop thereon, a dog pivoted between said ears and over said bar for engagement with said stop, and means for projecting said bar.

5. In a device of the class described, a target holder, a support therefor, said support being longitudinally slotted, a longitudinally movable target projecting bar, a guide at the inner end of said support slidably receiving said bar, an ear extending from said bar and disposed in said, slot, whereby said bar will be guided during its movement, means for holding said bar in retracted position, and means for projecting said bar.

6. In a device of the class described, a target holder, a support therefor comprising a flat plate, said plate being longitudinally slotted, la longitudinally movable target projecting bar, means 011 said support adjacent one end for guiding said bar, an ear extending from said bar and disposed in said slot, a pair of spaced pins extending through said ear and disposed one on each side of said fiat plate, means for holding said bar in retracted position, and means for projecting said bar.

7. In a device of the class described, a target holder, a support therefor comprising a flat plate', a substantially vertical rib formed integrally therewith, said rib being recessed adjacent its connection with the plate, said plate being longitudinally slotted, the slot and recess communicating with each other, a target projecting bar movable longitudinally of said slot, a guide adjacent one end of said support and receiving said bar, an ear depending from said bar and disposed within said slot, a spring disposed in said recess in said rib, one end of said spring being attached to the support, the other end being connected to said ear, and means for holding said bar in retracted position.

8. In a device of the class described, a target holder, a support therefor, a longitudinally movable target projecting bar, guides for said bar, a pivoted dog for holding said bar in retracted position, means for projecting said bar, and a dog releasing device comprising a plate, channeled members disposed on the longitudinal edges of said plate and embracing said bar, a finger carried by said plate for engagement with said dog, and a handle for actuating said dog releasing device.

9. In a device of the class described, a target holder, a support therefor, a. longitudinally movable target projecting bar, guides on said support for said bar, means for projecting said bar, and means for retracting the bar comprising a plate, channeled members disposed on the longitudinal edges of said plate and embracing said bar, an eye carried by said plate, a handle swiveled in said eye, and a stop on the end of said bar.

10. In a target throwing device, a target support, a rib thereon, a target being adapted to engage said rib, a reciprocatorily movable target projecting member movable parallel to said rib, said member being adapted to hold a target in engagement with said rib while being projected, and means for moving said member.

11. In a tar et throwing device, a target support, a rib thereon, a target being adapted to engage said rib, a longitudinally movable target projecting bar slidable parallel to said rib and adapted to hold a target in engagement with said rib while being projected, and means for moving said bar.

12. In a target throwing device, a flat plate, a substantially straight rail secured to said plate adapted to be engaged by a target, a longitudinally movable target projecting bar slidable parallel to said rail, an angular-shaped head on the end of said bar for engagement with the target, said head being adapted to hold a target in engagement with said rail while the bar is being moved in a direction to project the target, Y and means for operating said bar.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES IV. NAPIER. CHARLES H. NAPIER. Witnesses:

W. H. BEATTY, NICHOLAS Mnnoos.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. O. I 

